Lisa, Bright and Dark [Paperback]

John Neufeld (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1999

Lisa Shilling is 16, smart, attractive--and she is losing her mind. Some days are "light," and everything is normal; during her "dark" days, she hides deep within herself, and nothing can reach her. Her teachers ignore what is happening. Her parents deny it. Lisa's friends are the only ones who are listening--and they walk with her where adults fear to tread. This classic novel of a teenager's descent into madness, in the tradition of Go Ask Alice and I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, has remained a best seller for close to thirty years.

"Compassionate and tragic, an indictment of adults who refuse to get involved."--The New York Times

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Neufeld’s internationally acclaimed Lisa, Bright and Dark, has sold more than 3 million copies. Published by Random House, Harper & Row, Penguin, among others, he is also a Macdowell Fellow. He lives in Connecticut.

www.johnneufeld.com --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0141304340
• ISBN-13: 978-0141304342
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,237,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Neufeld was born in Chicago, educated at Phillips Exeter and Yale, worked in publishing 1962-1969 when LISA,BRIGHT AND DARK was published (after EDGAR ALLAN).
He lives in Connecticut and is the author of more than a dozen children's and adult novels. He is a teacher as well as NPR commentator. Neufeldauthor.wordpress.com is his blog.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a realistic look into mental illness, September 23, 2005

By 

Brandy C (Newport News, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lisa, Bright and Dark (Paperback)

I read this book as a pre-teen, as I was beginning to deal with severe juvenile depression. The dark feelings and fear described in the book are real and impossibly unbearable, especially for a child. Some may believe that the material is dated (the terminology is less than PC), however, adults are still reluctant to acknowledge that children/teens experience mental illness. The book helped me to realize that I was neither "crazy" nor alone at a time when my teachers and parents labeled me as shy and typically moody. This book has stayed with me all these years, and I would recommend it to anyone who is dealing with childhood emotional issues or a child with emotional issues. As a current mental health professional, I keep several copies on hand for at-risk children and families.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lisa Bright and Dark, May 9, 2001

By 

"cateran" (Howard County, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lisa, Bright and Dark (Paperback)

Lisa Bright and Dark is the tear-jerking tale of Lisa Shillings' descent into madness. This was one of those books that stops and makes you think about how awful it must be to be slowly going insane while the only people who carry enough about you to do anything are your friends while your parents lay back and do nothing. It hurts me to think that anyone should not only have to suffer the pain of not being "sane" but also of having your family not give a damn whether or not you live or die. This book really stirred up a lot of emotions for me not only because I know quite a bit about psychology but also because I know that Lisa's parents and teachers had the power to help her but instead left it up to her friends. I really think that Neufeld does an excellent job of making you pity Lisa. Even though this book is set in the 1960's it is still just as meaningful now, almost 40 years later, as it was then. The part of this book that made me feel the most emotion is the fact that even though Lisa told her parents she was going mad they did nothing, nothing at all. This sort of made me realize how much easier people growing up now have it. Even if your parents don't seem to listen or care about your mental health there are places online and hotlines where you can get help. I totally felt Lisa's pain, not the pain of going mad but the pain of having those closest to you not believe you. If you don't read this book you are really cheating yourself out of one of the most influential pieces of literature written this century. Even if you don't read this book for yourself read it for the Lisas of the world.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review, October 31, 2001

By 

Mr.Francesco Raphael Galardo of the Catskills (Catskill, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lisa, Bright and Dark (Paperback)

Lisa, Bright and Dark by John Neufeld is a great book to read and enjoy. It lets you in on the journey of someone who is moving slowly towards the world of madness.

Lisa Shilling is experiencing mental problems of which seem to put her as an outcast at school. Some of her closest friends, Mary Nell, Betsy and Elizabeth realize that there is a problem. They seek to find answers in their own "group therapy" everyday after school. Although the students see that Lisa has a problem, Lisa's parents deny the facts that are given to them.

Through out the book Lisa makes situations worse just to try to prove it to her parents that she needs help. Many of the other adults know what's going on because of the involvement of their kids, but find it best to stay out of it. Lisa's parents finally give in to the problem after Lisa hurts herself another time. They agree to seek help and things start to turn around for the better.

The author did a good job showing that sometimes parents don't want to understand but if you push hard enough they will give in. Great details get you involved with the realistic situation and can allow you to think about these issues. This is a wonderful book if you want to experience new uncommon issues.